{"id":2659,"date":"2011-02-07T04:08:21","date_gmt":"2011-02-07T09:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/?p=2659"},"modified":"2011-02-08T03:59:07","modified_gmt":"2011-02-08T08:59:07","slug":"heroin-use-in-van-wert-county-a-growing-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2011\/02\/07\/heroin-use-in-van-wert-county-a-growing-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Heroin use in county a big problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: This is the first in a two-part series on the influx of heroin into the Van Wert area and its effects on the community. The first part will deal with the increase in arrests for heroin trafficking.<\/em><\/p>\n

DAVE MOSIER\/<\/strong>independent editor<\/em><\/p>\n

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Some of the items normally found around a heroin user's residence include syringes and a burned spoon. (VW Police Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The influx of cheap heroin into the community first seen in 2008 has, if anything, increased substantially each of the last two years, according to Van Wert Police Department detectives.<\/p>\n

Detective Sgt. Jeff Blackmore said heroin cases have at least doubled each of the last two years, starting with 11 cases in 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not letting up and I don\u2019t expect it to let up,\u201d Blackmore said, adding that cases increased to approximately 30 in 2009 and totaled approximately 60 last year. \u201cWe\u2019ve also seen a number of cases to start this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to actual drug trafficking and possession charges directly related to heroin, detectives have also seen more burglaries and weapons offenses they say are linked to the increased use of the drug.<\/p>\n

There have also been several overdoses stemming from heroin use, including one death directly linked to heroin.<\/p>\n

The main problem, Blackmore said, is the relatively low cost of the drug, coupled with the highly addictive nature of heroin. The heroin being sold locally is mostly the brown powder variety, but some black tar heroin is also being sold in the area. The drug, which is packaged in gelcaps that contain approximately two doses, costs between $15 and $25 per capsule, detectives said.<\/p>\n

Heroin can be smoked or sniffed (snorted), but is most often injected into veins using syringes.<\/p>\n

Most of the heroin powder sold here comes from the Dayton area, Blackmore said, while the tar heroin is transported mostly from Toledo, although some reportedly comes from Fort Wayne, Ind.<\/p>\n

Because heroin is so addictive, those who sell the drug \u2013 usually addicts themselves \u2013 know they have a long-term client when they get someone \u201chooked\u201d. The strong addictive qualities of heroin have increased both the number of people using heroin, as well as the number of dealers of the drug.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing new addicts every day,\u201d Blackmore said, adding that, unlike prescription drugs and crack cocaine \u2013 the other drugs usually being sold in Van Wert \u2013 it\u2019s relatively easy to sell heroin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone can be a heroin dealer,\u201d Blackmore said. \u201cIn certain areas of Dayton, people are selling the stuff on street corners.\u201d<\/p>\n

The scope of the heroin problem in Van Wert has local police desperate to find a way to deal with the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doing the best we can, but we\u2019re just trying to keep our heads above water,\u201d Sgt. Blackmore said, noting that city police are using public education and aggressive enforcement efforts to try to keep heroin usage from spiraling out of control.<\/p>\n

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Brown powder heroin (DEA photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blackmore said local residents who think someone they know may be using heroin should look for the following symptoms:<\/p>\n